CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 24, 2017) – Mount Mercy University was ranked highest among all Iowa colleges on MONEY magazine’s 2017 Best Colleges For Your Money list. The annual list puts Mount Mercy at No. 87 in the nation among 711 schools, 50 spots higher than in 2016.
Rankings are based on 27 factors in three equally-weighted categories: educational quality, affordability, and alumni success. Mount Mercy also stood out in MONEY’s rankings for overall quality.
“College is a lifetime investment, and we’re extremely proud of the value of a Mount Mercy degree, as underscored by this ranking,” said University President Laurie Hamen. “The combination of academic excellence, affordability and successful outcomes is what students and parents look for in their college search. This, combined with our emphasis on compassionate service and practical experiential learning, makes Mount Mercy graduates especially prepared to flourish in our community.”
According to MONEY, the magazine “has drawn on the research and advice of dozens of the nation’s top experts on educational quality, financing and value to develop a new, uniquely practical analysis of more than 700 of the nation’s best-performing colleges.”
For the first time, MONEY included a socio-economic mobility index in its outcomes category, using data from the Equality of Opportunity Project showing which colleges are most likely to help low-income students land high-paying jobs. Also new this year, data from LinkedIn and Burning Glass Technologies on the market value of the most commonly listed skills for alumni.
“In its analysis of Mount Mercy, MONEY specifically noted our ‘impressive’ graduation rate being 44 percent higher than would be expected for students with similar test scores and economic backgrounds,” Hamen said. “When coupled with our 96 percent job/graduate school placement rate within nine months of graduation, Mount Mercy offers a clear and affordable path to a successful future.”
Princeton University topped the ranking for the second consecutive year, while the University of Iowa was ranked 141, University of Northern Iowa ranked 224, Coe College ranked 519 and Cornell College ranked 597. Additional rankings data was compiled from the U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com and MONEY/College Measures calculations.
To learn more about Mount Mercy University, visit mtmercy.edu or schedule a visit to campus during Iowa Private College Week, July 31–Aug. 4, at mtmercy.edu/ipcw.
Find the full MONEY ranking at http://time.com/money/best-colleges/rankings/best-colleges.
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Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and lead courageous lives. Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to 1,900 enrolled students and uniquely blends an outstanding liberal arts education with equally outstanding professional preparation.
